Lesson summary for...

Evo in the news: When it comes to evolution, headlines often get it wrong

Author/Source: UC Museum of Paleontology
Overview:Newly discovered fossils are prompting some scientists to consider a minor revision of the relationships shown on the human family tree. This news brief from September 2007 clarifies the occasionally misleading news coverage of the story.
Concepts:This lesson covers the following concepts:
  • Present-day species evolved from earlier species; the relatedness of organisms is the result of common ancestry.
  • The fossil record provides evidence for evolution.
  • The fossil record documents the biodiversity of the past.
  • Scientists pose, test, and revise multiple hypotheses to explain what they observe.
  • Science does not prove or conclude; science is always a work in progress.
  • Science corrects itself.
  • Science is non-dogmatic.
  • The story of the evolution of living things is always being refined as we gather more evidence.
  • Scientists use fossils (including sequences of fossils showing gradual change over time) to learn about past life.
Grade Level:9-12
Time:15 minutes
Teacher Background:Explore these links for additional information on the topics covered in this lesson:
Teaching Tips:This article includes a set of discussion and extension questions for use in class. It also includes hints about related lessons that might be used in conjunction with this one.